Motorized vehicle cab



Oct. 5, 1937. L. L. cRoss MOTORIZED VEHICLE yGAB Filed Jan. 8, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l fsf-F4' ,rass ATTORNEY.

Oct. 5, 1937. L. cRoss 25095058 MOTORIZED VEHICLE CAB Filed Jan. '8, '1937 2 sheets-sheet 2 I oolrsz INV ENT OR.

ATTORNEY.

I4,5 tilt about trunnion means.

Patented Oct. 5, 1937 UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE Mo'romziin vEHIcL'EjoAB' Lester L. Cross.'(lortlaiid,v N. Y., assignorto Brockway iMotor Company,

Inc., Cortland,

N. Y., a corporationof New York Application*JanuaryV V8, 1937, Serial No. 119,602

11 Claims. (Cl. ISU- 64) .i170 purpose of making major repairs requiring they removal of such power unit from its chassis framework.

My devices contemplate a single orcentralized engine unit that is bridgingly mounted across ay A 1 5 pair of offset frame channels in an improved manner by the use of interposed skid rails.` An

associated radiator ror cooling. system is installed at the forward end region of said engine; in its preferred exemplication, said system may comprise a pair of reversely pivoted, twin radiator assemblies respectively adapted to swing apart about their trunnions so as to unobstructedly allo-w a demounted engine to pass therebetween.

In service, the normal clearance space allowed between such aligned radiator. assemblies, y is closed by a door or the like cover means. When the cover is opened, ready access is afforded to certain engine accessories in need of oiling, ad-

justment or minor repairs. The overall height z of such twin radiators may be kept relatively low,

which in turn allows of locating the bottom edge of the windshield nearer to the roadway level and thereby attain a corresponding wider line of vision for the seated driver as measured ahead of 1 35 the front wheels, particularly in a direction over y 4,() a forced current of air throughthe radiator cores and onward along the respective. sides of Vthe engine jacket for delivery exteriorly of the cab confines. If preferred, an equivalent centralized, single radiator core may likewise be mounted to In either event, said engine hood is herein wholly mounted interiorly of the cab confines and so arranged that a hood portion may be lifted to augment engine accessibility. When required, my demountable hood 50 may also be bodily removed through either'. side ,-155 ,mally above the roadway level or rendering it Vchassis in a conventionalmanner.

uncomfortable in riding qualities because of excessive side sway effects.

The object of this invention is to provide for a relatively simple combined cab body and chassis struc-ture of the character indicated that can `V 5 readily be fabricated on a standardized produc-Y tive basis at a corresponding low first cost, also to compactly incorporate the necessary control appurtenances appropriate to present purposes.

A Further embodied herein are certain other 10 novel structural features such as a relatively low floor and seat level, all of which will presently be Vmoreexplicitly pointed out. Reference is had to theaccompanying two sheets of drawings which including the Vassembled cross beam as taken along the section line 2-2 of. Fig. 1 with the engine and. transmission thereof schematically indicated in perimetri@ outline.

Fig. 3 shows a top view taken along the section line 3 3. of Fig. 1, the forward section of the engine hood being cross-sectionally shown in Vphantom outline.

Figs. 4 and 5 respectively -depict a modified 30 style of pivotally'mounted unitary radiator. e Referring first to Figs. l toV 3,.this disclosure depicts a cab assembly adapted to have a truck o-r van body mounted therebehind on a common Y Ihe chassis framework preferably comprises a pair of cross- `connected longitudinal beams o-r complementary side Achannels I0 and Il of which the respective .horizontal anges vare preferably faced inwardly.

Only the forward lend components of each such 40 channel are shown and these maybe laterally offset asat l2 to widen thevnormal spacing with respect to the corresponding channel extensions lying immediately rearward of my cab. The forward Vextremities of the respective longitudinal members Il) and I I are herein bridged by a chan'- neled cross beam vI3 whose verticallydisposed web may be made considerably deeper than those of said members, as indicated.Y .The top -ange I4 ofthe cross beam may overlie the aforesaid chan- A nel extremities in the Fig. 2 manner and the ends of Vsuch cross beam may bedemountably secured Vin place and braced by the use of bolted gussets suchasl5. f

Said cross beam, intermediateV its ends,ii sup-A ports a trunnion housing I G that may be pro-V vided with a clamped circular socket I1. Said Ysocket operatively receives a forwardly overhanging trunnion I8 carried by the single engine co1- lectively designated as I9, and which motive unit may be inclusive of the attached transmission casing 20 and coupled pr'opeller shaft 2|. As shown in Fig. 3, the center-line of ys uch shaft may in plan be located coincident with that ofV the chassis. Y

v Interposed between the forward end com-.kv Y ponents of rmy offset side channels,v are mounted a. pair of continuous kangle iron skid rails such as 22 and 23 of which the respectiveforwardterminals may belseparatelyrupheld by'.hanger--VV like shoes that depend from the Vgussets-y. I5.

Said laterally spaced rails are preferably'but not` tion with the trunnion I8, theseVV arms provide' for a.' three point"` suspension or Y engine lm ounting. It will be observed that in contrast with conven- Y tional practice, rsaid'fengine supports Yare here 'indirectly carriedl upon the sid'echannelsthrough their associated skid rails.H 'After'removing the arm bolts 26 and the cross beam I3,Vmy engine unitIS' together with its'attached transmission 4vmechanism may be freely skidded'Y forwardly along saidrails into the dotted Fig; 2 position. Upon removing a suitable spark plug, a lifting Y Yey'ebolt 21 may be screwed in its placef By resorting to a'chain hoist and afloor carriage or jack V28, said engine unit may then be freely carried forwardly to wholly clear the side channels. After ak general overhauling," the same or a substitute engine may be ,restored` into place by`a reversal of the described procedure,V the socketed housing' I1 being finally madeto'rmly'center the engine trunnion IBtherein. Y f

As intimated,` a further intent 'is to' cornpactly install my cab over such a demountable engine unit. To this end, 1 preferably resort to the twin radiator assemblies 30 Vand 3 I yof which the erected *cellular core faces areV normally mounted .'alongside'ethe enginey in aY common transverse plane` as indicated in'Fig. 3. To provide for' the necessary clearance that will permit of' unobstructedly dragging the engineV between these spacedcore faces, each shellof my twin radiators may be swivellyvmounted upon a separate pivot such: as 32 or 33,'respectively supported from ka side channel by v,means of the raised brackets 34 Vand Ywhichradiators Vmay be laterally @fioV braced byV demount'able stay' rods'inot shown).

Foricertajin purposes, my twin radiators may also be bodily demounted 'instead of turned Vabout 4their jrespectivejvv pivotsl 'inf order to clear` the 3 en- Y fginejunit whenlskidded forwardly. l Y Y Y VInA this'connection, it will be Aunderstood'that the front wheelssuch as 35"may bei'nterconnected in the 'usual manner by the "drop axle'36 which mountsqthe Side channels I0k and II through. a pair of interposed suspensionsprings v closure wall 45.

V .doorway lines. Hdoor sill; Depending Afrom the forward trans-V beneath their respective offset frame portions I2 for maximum body stability. g

Referring in further detail to theY disposition of my twin radiators, the Vshells thereof may each be provided with a topand a bottom tank of which the mated top tanks may be Ycross-connected through the intake pipe 38 and respectively provided :with centralized l.overflow piping means 39 of thejgooseneck vent type as schematically indicated in Fig. 1 and the discharge Voff which overflow is keptr elevated with respect toy the top tanks. By virtue of such elevated vent, a'tiltingly raised tank cannot be materially drained VVVthrought/he overflow of a relatively 10W- ered tank should? my chassis become steeply inclinedxwhile being parked alongside a curb. 'I'he branch pipe 40 may connect said intake pipe Vwith the deliveryA outlet of the engine jacket. YThe mated lbottom tanks of my radiator may be placed in communication with the suction side of a circulating pump (not'shown) which accesjsory is commonlyincluded in said engine unit I9. As an alternative, my( twin radiators may also be pipe interconnected in series instead of parallel, in which event a similar type of vent `or overflow conduit may be` used to bring about a like result;

The Several pipe connections may beL broken at will by Yhose couplings to permit of freely swinging lthe respective radiatorsV about l-their trunnions into substantialfaxial alignment'with l their side channels as represented bydottedlo'ut- `line in YFig.` When restored -intojtheir normal operative position,l eachk such tw-inradiator may 'be securedin placefby a lock Vbolt 4I or equivalent meansflach radiator unit is provided withaV separate engine driven fan 62 preferably located y' centrally behind the core jface lthereof to-swing in unison afterits belt drive is'disengaged. I'he use of twin ;fans1more effectively serves the Vcombined frontal area of the respective cores and allows of cutting down on the corresponding gross area with respect to a centralized radiatoras? sembly. Furthermore, shouldone of my twin ra-y v diators become disabled,` a truck so equipped is enabled to proceed toa servicestation by running on` the other radiator. f -Y Referring now to the more pertinent' details Yembodied'in my cab structure, this: may comprise f oppositely disposed side walls such as 43 having:

a deck' 44 suspended the'reacross, and also arear of said side walls may be equipped with aninset transparent Vpanel MiY and mudguard or fender y48 as indicated indotted AV step 61 may be located'at the verse edge of 'said'd eck, is a pairof relatively inclined windshi'eld'vpanes suchV as ,'49 ofk which the respective' lower edges Asubstantially 5 align Vhorizontally with the drivers seat 1.50. Beneath said windshield, the' cab wall confines may be kept openY and thereby. admit air currents to bothtwin radiators, also to provide clearance spacefintor which to swing said shells about their respective trunnions.r`

. A removabletoe board 5I inclines downwardly withV aside doorI 41 o f which the offset forward jamb conforms to the shapev of the frontwheel and rearwardly from the lower windshieldyedgeV Y toward' the floor board 52, which latterV may be upheldacross the chassis side 'channels in any a approvedmanner; The lower portion of such toe board land the forward portion of the floor board mayrespectively be bifurcated to neatly straddle the engine unit Vso'as to provide clearancetlficreVA` around. The -front of such radiator installation may be trimmed in .streamlined fashion by a sectionalized `grillwork extending crosswise between the front fenders to comprise a pair of separately demcuntable perforated panels such as 53 having an imperforate door or cover member. 54 interposed therebetween. Each vertical edge of said cover may .be extended outwardly into a exible wing 55 arranged to deflect a current of air through one such radiator core without substantial lbypassing effects. A capped radiator' ller spout 42 may extend through said grillwork.

Mounted above said floor board is a funnel vshaped shroud or engine hood section 56 of which the contracted rear yneck portion is shaped into a vent tunnel 51 to carry off the spent cooling air beneath the iioor level. The forward transverse edge of said tunnel may be provided with a removable, obliquely disposed pintle 58 that hingedly mounts the major portion of my engine hood thereon.l The forwardly diverging `mo-uth end of said hood may be attached to the oor board 52 by latchable fasteners. The base of said tunnel may be-flanged and removably bolted at 60 to said floor board. The flared hood mouth is arranged to house the radiator piping and collectively convey the iniiow of air current from said twin cores and along both sides of the engine unit. The pintle 58 is so disposed that the forward hood end may be freely swung upwardly toward the deck 44 into its dotted raised position 56A and thereby afford convenient access to certain engine parts. After removing the hinge pintle 58, said hood may by dextrous manipulation, be carried through one side door 41 in the event a repair man should need still more cab room in which to work.

To permit of supporting my heavy duty engine upon the trunnion I8, I preferably operate the duplex radiator core fans such as 62 from a common drive pulley 63 mounted on the forward end of a suitably extended auxiliary cam 'or other engine shaft. A single endless belt 64 may be carried over both fan pulleys and an adjustable idler pulley 65 in the manner yschematically indicated in Fig. 1. The fact that the frontal faces of such twin radiators may be inset some distance back of the forward end of the trunnion Y housing IG, materially shortens the overall power plant length and makes for a correspondingly lighter cab weight.

The removable drivers seat 50 is preferably offset wholly to one side of the hood tunnel in a symmetrical relation with the axial center of the steering wheel 6B. A pair of conventio-nal foot pedals, electric starter and the like accessory engine controls (not shown) are intended to form a part of the chassis equipment hereof. The Obliquity given to the hood pintle 58 serves to shift the raised hood away from one seat end for augmented clearance purposes. The described engine installation is such that the cab floor level may be kept relatively low and beneath the top of the engine. The height of the seat 50 is correspondingly lowered Within easy reach -to obviate abnormal fatigue on part of the cab driver without having to frequently climb steep ladderlike steps in making house to house deliveries. An important aim is to reduce the need for such stairs since they are likely to become slippery in inclement weather and lead to personal injury. A further desirable attribute of a lowered seat level resides in smoother and more comfort-able riding qualities free from excessive `body sway, particularly for long distance hauling purposes.

A difficulty heretofore encountered with a corresponding low seat disposition, is the lack of clear roadway vision, especially in a direction Vclosely ahead of the front wheels.

swivel mounted twin radiators without requiring either core shell to be bodily displaced.

In addition, adequate access is afforded by virtue of the removable cover 54, through which to service the forward portion of a compactly installed engine. A latched hood, when raised within the cab confines, provides convenient access to the rear portion of my motive unit without requiring the removal of the aforesaid cover member. As herein arranged, the duplex radiator fans are driven from a common lay shaft pulley, which in turn allows of mounting a relatively long engine on a yieldable three point suspension principle adapted to properly counteract chassis weave.

As a modification, the use of a single radiator of the swivel type is disclosed in Figs. 4 and 5. Here a relatively low core Yand tank installation is schematically represented, which in certain instances may be substituted in lieu of the foregoing twin radiators. In such event,V this centralized radiator assembly may similarly be located forwardly of the engine. The opposite ends of one vertical edge region of the unitary radiator shell 10 may respectively bel equipped with flanged tubular fixtures 1l and 12 of which the hollow overhanging trunnions 13 and 14 may be reversely arranged in common axial alignment. A socket fitting such as 15 cooperates with each trunnion and may be packed against leakage by any apfpropriate means. These fittings are shown rigidly supported by a stanchion 11. The socketed chambers of'said fittings respectively connect with water feed pipes 18 and 19, which in turn communicate with the upper and lower radiator tanks 80 and 8l. Interposed therebetween is a cellular radiator core 82 of the'conventional type.

My trunnion disposition is such that by a loosyening of the locking bolt 83, thisY single radiator assembly may be swung forwardly about its trunnions without requiring a complete dismantling of said feed pipe connections. The engine unit is then allowed to unobstructedly skid along railssuch as 22 and 23 of the kind that have previously been explicitly set forth. It will be obvious that similar complementary trunnion xtures may likewise be applied to the twin radiator assemblies 30 and 3|.

The foregoing disclosures are thought to make apparent to those skilled in this art, the outstanding advantages afforded by my improved body and chassis structure, it being understood that various changes in the illustrative embodiment thereof may be resorted to, all without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention heretofore described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. 1n a motorized vehicle, the combination of achassis framework comprising laterally spaced side members disposed longitudinally, each such member having an cflset in its forward length l portion arranged to augment the lateral spacingY thereof with respect to a medial portion of the members, mated skid rail means interposed lengthwise between the offset forward length portions of said side members,each such rail means including a rear length component Vsecured to a diiferent side member and a length component that extends forwardlyy therefrom,Y a motive unit bridgingly mounted `across sa-id skid Vrails and which unit is bodily shiftable lengthwise thereof, a front axle spanning the offset forward length portions of the respective. side members, and a separate suspension leaf spring interposed between each such side member and the front axle, said springs being respectively hung beneath and in substantial registry with a different forward length portion of the side members.

2. In a motorized vehicle, the combination of a chassis framework comprising laterally spaced side members extending longitudinally, mated skid rails interposed lengthwise between said side members, a pair of spaced radiator cores carried by the chassis and respectively mounted in a straddled relation to a center-lineV located between said rails, means pivotally upholding each such radiator core for swinging movementY toward or away from said center-line, and a motive unit bridgingly mounted across the skid rails behind said cores,saidunit for demounting purposes being shiftable along the mated rails to pass forwardly between the Yradiator cores when the latter are swung outwardly away from such center-line.

3. In a motorized vehicle, Vthecombination of a chassis framework comprising laterally spaced side members extendinglongitudinally, mated skid rails Yinterposedlengthwise between said membersfa jacketed engine mounted across and shiftableialong said skid rails, a radiator core cooperating with the engine for cooling purposes-and which core has'an erect frontal face disposed ahead of the engine in a normally transverse relationship to a center-line located between said rails, means pivotally upholding said radiator core upon the framework to permit said frontal face to be swung out of its normal transverse relationship whereby the engine may be bodily skidded forwardly along the rails without interference with said core. Y

4. In a motorized vehicle, the combination of a chassis framework comprising laterally spaced side members extending longitudinally, mated skid rails interposed lengthwise between said members, a jacketed engine mounted across and shiftable along said skid rails, spaced twin radiator cores arranged oppositelyv with respect to a center-'line located between said rails and which coresY are respectively provided with an erect frontal face that substantially align ahead of Vthe engine when said cores are `operatively connected to cool the jacketed engine, means upholding each such radiator core with respect to said framework and allowing the engine to be unobstructedly shifted forwardly along said skid rails.

5. In a motorized vehicle, the combination of la chassis framework comprising laterally spaced side members extending longitudinally, mated skid rails interposed lengthwiseY between said members, a jacketed engine mounted across and shiftable along said skid rails, spaced twin radiator cores disposed oppositely with respect to a center-line located between said rails, said cores being respectively providedwith ana'upperv and a lower tank having an erect frontal Vface therebetween and which faces are normallyV aligned-V aheagl of the engineLmeans upholding each such radiator core with respect to said framework and allowing the engine to be unobstructedly shifted forwardly along said skid rails, and conduit means operatively interconnecting certainradiatori tanks and which conduit is equipped-with -centralized vent means.

ally uphold said core upon the framework, said trunnions being respectively arranged to crommunicate with a different tank, and conduit Y means interconnecting the respective Vtrunnion means with the engine jacket,'said core being rotatable about its trunnions while said conduitis interconnected.

'7. In a motorized vehicle, the combination of al chassis framework comprising a pair of laterally spaced side membersl extending longitudinally, mated skid rails interposed lengthwise between said members, a single engine mounted across and shiftable along said rails, twin radiator cores operatively associated with said engine and disposed oppositely with respect to a center-line located between said railssaid cores being respectively provided with an erect frontal face which normally align ahead of the engine and have a clearance spacing therebetween that isp-smaller than the overall Vengine width, separate pivotal means rotatably upholding each such radiator core with -respect to said framework, and a body Structure housing the engine and both cores, said structure including a deck and a windshield depending therefrom of which its lower trans-Y verse edge terminatesabove the respective cores to leave an open space beneath saidwindshield edge into which tounobstructedly swing the respective cores-forwardly about their pivots forY engine demounting purposes.

8. In a motorized vehicle, the combination of a chassis framework comprising laterally spaced side members extending longitudinally, mated skid rails interposed llengthwise between .said members, a single fluid cooled engine mounted across and shiftable alo-ng said rails, twin radialtor cores operatively associated with said engine shield depending therefrom of which the lower transverse edge leaves an opening therebeneath,

and a cover agency closing a portion of said opening whereby to gain access` to the installed engine through the aforesaid clearance space.

side members extending longitudinally, mated skid rails interposed lengthwise between said members, a single fluid cooled engine mounted across and shiftable along said rails, twin radiator cores cooperatively associated with said engine and disposed oppositely with respect to a center-line located between said rails, separate pivotal means rotatably upholding each such radiator core with respect to said framework, a body structure housing the engine and both cores, said structure including a deck and a windshield depending therefrom of which the lower transverse edge terminates above the respective cores to leave an open space beneath said windshield edge into which to swing the respective cores about their pivots, a floor board sustained by the side members, a toe board extending between the floor board and the aforesaid windshield edge, and a sectional engine hood inbuilt within the body structure, said hood comprising a tunnellike vent component mounted upon the floor board and having hingedly connected thereto a flared component of which the free end swings toward or away from the toe board, the pintle of said hinge connection being axially inclined with respect to the aforesaid center-line.

10. In a motorized vehicle, the combination of a chassis framework comprising laterally spaced side members extending longitudinally, mated skid rails 'interposed lengthwise between said holding the lower edge of each such radiator shell in a horizontal relation to said framework, the respective overall shell heights being kept comparatively low for a given frontal face area, a iloor board sustained directly over said transmission housing and beneath the top level of the engine, and a transverse drivers seat mounted upon the floor board, the forward seat edge being disposed in substantial planiform alignment with the respective top edges of the twin radiator shells.

11. In a, motorized vehicle, thek combination of a chassis framework comprisingY laterally spaced side members extending longitudinally, mated skid rails interposed lengthwise between said members, a jacketed multi-cylinder engine provided with driven lay shaft pulley means Vlocated forwardly o-f the leading cylinder, the respective engine cylinders as a unit being mounted lengthwise between and shiftable along said rails for engine demounting purposes, twin radiator cores cooperatively associated with the engine jacket and disposed oppositely with respect to a centerline located between said rails, said cores being respectively provided with an erect frontal face, a rotatable fan disposed behind each such core, separate pivotal means upholding each such radiator core with respect to the framework whereby each such core together with its fan may be independently swung about the pivotal means thereof, and means. for actuating both fans from the aforesaid driven pulley means when the frontal faces are swung into substantial parallelism.

LESTER L. CROSS. 

